The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-09-28

that he appears to be altogether different
from his fellows"
Banker Jones was something Of q
philosopher and had to yield to him.
saw Varina every day. Sometimes
was Mt the postoflice when she called for
her mail, and / was always well pleased
TO see her bend her pretty head and hurry
of with white envelope bearing the New
York postmark, and addressed in tho
handwriting so well known 70 me.
1t was nearly n year before Strong re-
turned, and then 1t was only on flying
visit A special car bearing some Of the
biggest railway magnates III tine country
passed through Strong was with the party,
but he left IL, and spent half a day at his
old home. He was with Varina most OF
the time and l saw him only moment.
"No changes, see," said he in curt
businesslike way, mot house painted,
and not hammer has been heard since
left. Everything is just the same"
"Varina, tooS" suggested.
eyes, Varina, too" he replied. ''Poor
little thing. Do you know that she lacks
force of character
~ think nothing of the kind" | an
swered shortly, "she certainly has great
deal of patience under trying circum-
stances and there is some force of char
acter In that"
Strong's eyes fell, and he gave me n
parting clasp Of the hand He had to re-
join the railway kings ut their nett stop
ping place. 1t was hard to tear himself
away, but It could not be helped.
His visit could not have been very sat
isfactory to Varina, for from that time
saw u change in her. Her face began to
have n weary, sad look, and she plodded
on with her school work, withdrawing
herself almost entirely from society. She
still received letters from New York, but
they were less frequent than formerly.
When Strong paid his next visit to Cot
tonville, the following year, he was a
millionaire. This time he remained several
days, and was at his best Everybody re-
marked that prosperity had not spoiled
him. He was devoted to Varina but the
poor girl seemed to be in daZed state.
She saw something in her lover that no
one else saw, GOODNESS that she alone
could detect.
After his departure we all began won
dering when the marriage would take
place. ! had said nothing to Strong about
IL, and he had not mentioned it to me.
Only once had he said anything that re-
motely referred to it.
"You people call me a rich man" he
said, "and suppose am, but you do not
know how complicated my business is.
am liable any night to go home million
or two richer or wretched pauper. For
Gods sake let speculation aloner
thought Of Strong's words often dur
ing the next year From time to time we
heard of his success. Everything that he
touched seemed to turn to gold. Even in
New York men spoke of him as the young
Napoleon.
1t was an awful crash, and it carried
city down with 1t.
In our little village we could hardly re-
alize it, Surely Strong had been prudent
enough to save something out Of the
wreck.
Our hope proved to be without founda-
ton Not only had Strong's entire fortune
been swept away, but he would have to
begin the world again owing fully mil
lion dollars.
The brave fellow bore up for few days.
His conduct was so manly that there was
some talk of setting him upon his feet
again, and 1t was predicted that he would
retrieve his losses and make another for
tune.
But the strain was too much Finally
he staggered to his bed, and when he arose
from it, long weeks afterwards, his attack
Of brain fever had done its worst.
"He is a mental wreck" said Banker
Jones, who had just returned from New
York.
as there no hope'"
"None whatever. He will never regain
his senses He may improve physically,
but his mind is gone forever"
eve must do something for him."
said
Something has been DONE" replied
Jones with very moist eyes. "Varina"-
"What has she doneS"
"That noble woman, sir, went on to
New York with her uncle. They took
poor Strong and placed him in private
asylum, where he will receive every care
and attention. You know that Varina
has given up her school and is living with
her uncle, who Is going to make her his
heiress. Well, those two are going to
foot the bills and see to 1t that Strong is
taken care of as long as he lives"
II was years afterward when / saw
Strong for the first time since his misfor
tune.
Business had called me to New York,
and on the second day after my arrival
visited the asylum, short distance from
the city.
At first thought that Strong had COM
pletely recovered, he was looking 80 well,
but his talk undeceived me.
"And how is Cottonville'" he asked.
"Slow old place, too slow, no progress,
nothing to keep man Of ability there.
Why don't you come here' / have some
big schemes on foot, and possibly III let
you in"